(Read 2 Samuel 6:12-23)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” I told you yesterday that once Uzzah died because he touched the Ark of the Covenant, David was afraid of taking it any further and he left the Ark in the house of Obed-edom of Gath, which was nearby. The Ark remained there for three months and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and his entire household. King David was told, “The LORD has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” David knew The Blessing of the Lord was on Obed-edom’s house, because the presence of the Lord was there. David wanted that presence, and The Blessing associated with it, to be with him. So he decided the risk was worth the reward, he got another team ready to move the Ark, and he transported it to the City of David.
David made sure that the arrival of the Ark of the Covenant in the City of David was met with great fanfare. The King put on a great celebration and when the Ark arrived in the city David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment (an ephod). David had worn the ephod before, when he needed to hear from God, but this time he was wearing it to thank God for allowing the King to bring His presence into the city. The people shouted for joy and there were many blowing of rams’ horns.
While the celebration was going on in the streets, Michal, the wife of David and daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she was filled with contempt for him. The carrier set the Ark of the Covenant inside the special tent David had prepared for it. David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Although David was a King, he also operated under the same grace as a priest; which is why he often wore the ephod and sought the Lord directly. In this case David used his priestly anointing to bless the people. This was not something a King would normally do.
When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, so I celebrate before the LORD. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” After this incident Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. If you open an altar in your home and you welcome the Lord to live there, your home will be blessed.
2. The presence of the Lord brings with it The Blessing of the Lord.
3. The proper response, from creation to the Creator, for His blessing, is praise and worship.
4. Praise and worship is required of all men, regardless of rank, position or stature. You will never be high enough to where you are not required to praise and worship our Lord.
5. The Lord takes pleasure in unashamed praise. Never allow your concern for what others will think to stifle your praise.
6. If you are willing to look foolish in praise, the Lord will make sure you don’t look foolish in your work.
7. Never criticize anyone for their level of their praise. Whether it is high or low in your eyes, God is the one who is receiving the praise and He judges the heart.
8. If a King (David) was willing to openly praise the Lord, what is holding you back?
9. You have been made both a king (to dominate) and a priest (to intercede) in the earth (Rev 1:5,6). You have grace to operate as both. Are you?
Closing Confession: Father, I want my home to be a place of Your habitation, and not just a place of Your visitation. I open an altar in my home and I welcome You to abide here continually. I establish an atmosphere of praise and worship in my home and it becomes a place where You tabernacle. You rest in my home. You take up residence here. This way it becomes a refuge for me and my family. When we get home, after a long day’s work, we are able to walk into Your presence and enjoy Your peace. We praise You at church, but we also praise You at home. We praise You unashamedly every day and in every day. As for me and my house, we shall Praise the Lord! We enter each day with thanksgiving on our lips, a song in our heart, a smile on our face, and a spring in our step. We never allow the consideration of what others might think to stifle our praise. We praise You openly, unashamedly and vehemently. You have been far too good to us for us not to give You praise. I praise You, my spouse praises You, and my children praise You. We praise You in the presence of others, and we praise You when we are all alone. We praise, we worship, we honor, we magnify and we glorify Your name. And while we do all of this, You continue to bless us richly. Your blessing is on my home, on each of my family members, and it is clearly on me. I enter this day committed to praise and worship, and committed to walking in The Blessing Christ Jesus died to give me. I declare this by faith for me and my household. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
